Wellness | Awaken Your Inner Artist

Awaken Your Inner Artist: How to Draw a Mandala

“. . . the arts have been an inseparable part of the human journey; indeed, we depend on the arts to carry us toward the fullness of our humanity. We value them for themselves, and because we do, we believe knowing and practicing them is fundamental to the healthy development of our children’s minds and spirits. That is why, in any civilization – ours included – the arts are inseparable from the very meaning of the term ‘education.’ We know from long experience that no one can claim to be truly educated who lacks basic knowledge and skills in the arts.” –National Standards for Arts Education

I’ve recently become intrigued by Mandalas. I’ve read many definitions of what a mandalas are and what they represent. My favorite, so far, is that, “A mandala represents your inner world and your outer reality”. A mandala is a beautiful piece of art that originates from a single dot into an extraordinary creation that is limited only to the individuals imagination.

At first glance, a mandala seems extremely intricate, beautiful and impossible to create. However, I’ve recently learned that looks are deceiving; and just like life, it is meant to be created one step at a time.

As I began the process of drawing my first mandala, I found it hard to visualize the final result. Instead I took the approach of starting at the center, one shape at a time. I was amazed as I continued and watched my art piece take shape. I was forced to focus solely on the task at hand, which was extremely meditative and fun! I didn’t have to think about what I was going to do next, although I could have. Instead I allowed my inspiration to take over and allow my ideas flow in at their own pace.

There is no right or wrong way to create a mandala. Sometimes looking at others work may spark some inspiration and ideas. I am excited to allow my creativity to expand and my inner artist to shine. We are all creators. Follow these simple steps to begin your own masterpiece using a pencil and a ruler, or download the template I’ve created for you! A compass would work as well.

From here, feel free to erase any lines or dots you you don’t want to keep. You can begin wherever you desire (I find it easier from the inside out) pic a row and start drawing a shape. The key is to repeat that shape around the entire circle. You can use any medium you prefer (ink, paint, color pencils, etc.) I used color pencils and ink for my first mandala. For my second I used acrylic paint, color pencils and ink. Have fun with it 🙂

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"Stories of a Polished Pistil: Lace and Ruffles" consists of poems, prose, and short stories compiled into three characters. The book covers love, friendship, heartbreak, spirituality, abuse, cultural conflict, affirmations, and femininity.